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keen23's review against another edition
I could not get into this book AT ALL. I tried multiple times over the month, and it did nothing for me.
stepharina's review against another edition
2.0
SO much to say about this book. This just wasn't my type of story. I like this author a lot but this book frustrated me and made me roll my eyes often. I could not like ANY of the characters. I found most of them whiny and ridiculous which made it hard to like the story because I did not really care what happened to them. Then there's the structure of this book which is non-linear and while I think it was to create suspense I don't think it landed as they showed what the suspenseful act was too early and it really just caused confusion. Then there the whole plot of the story that I just had issues with on a whole that I wont comment on because it is a hot button issue for people. So this was a fail for me but not the last time I'll read an Amy Hatvany novel as I have another ready to go next.
utahmomreads's review against another edition
4.0
It Happens All the Time by Amy Hatvany is about a young woman who comes home from college, engaged and ready to start the next chapter of her life. While home Amber spends some time with her best friend from high school. Tyler has been a devoted and good friend for years. He knows all her struggles and triumphs. He gets her. They have a history together. At the 4th of July party, they've had too much to drink and begin to kiss. Amber tries to stop him, but Tyler rapes her. Devastated and conflicted and broken, Amber must face to realities of being raped by a trusted friend.
There's so much I want to say about this book. It's a topic that has been on my mind a lot lately. Randy had been attending Title IX training and there are cases in the news and even among those we know personally. He and I have had many discussions regarding this topic. There is a growing problem. As a mother of sons and daughters, I realize that not only must I teach my daughter about rape and trying to avoid it but I absolutely must teach my sons about consent.
One of the things that Hatvany does in her book is show that more often than not rapists are just normal guys. They often don't even think they've done anything wrong. They justify and use a plethora of excuses. This does not excuse them of their criminal and destructive actions. There are consequences that must be paid. But even better would be if men were taught and understood what rape really is. That no means no. We must teach our sons.
Hatvany explains this so much better than I can in her essay here : http://www.cosmopolitan.com/politics/a9192287/talking-to-my-son-about-sexual-consent/
Anyway, It Happens All the Time not only discusses an important topic but it is also a very readable novel with characters who are very real. Hatvany is an excellent author who focuses on character and plot while sharing a message.
jweather23's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the alternating chapter perspectives of Tyler and Amber. The changing view points made this a quick read. Still working out exactly how I feel about the handling of the topic and character development but overall it was a good book.
judithdcollins's review against another edition
5.0
One of my all-time favorite authors, Amy Hatvany returns following Somewhere Out There (2016) with her most emotional and timely book yet: IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME — an exploration into two different experiences of rape.
View the author's powerful video. Author, wife, mother, friend, rape survivor.
A girl. A guy. Childhood friends. Consent. Rape. Their families. A tragedy which changes everything. A desperate need for justice and revenge.
There is one thing (well, more than one) you can come to expect from Amy Hatvany: She is not afraid to tackle tough issues of the heart, with honesty and superbly researched topics —critical for today’s contemporary woman, no matter the age.
Amber Bryant and Tyler Hicks have grown up together. Best friends from an early age through teen years. Their parents were friends. Ty comes from and abusive father. The Bryants took Ty and his mom under their wing and have always included them in family activities.
Amber has had food and self-esteem issues throughout her life. Tyler battles his self-esteem issues with his father. Amber always thinking she is fat, to the point she almost lost her life. It is a topic her parents to this day are sensitive about when they note her eating habits.
Tyler has always been her very best friend. He has always been in love with her. The feeling has not been mutual. From Amber’s side, it is more friendship, not love. Now Amber has graduated from college and is engaged to be married. She returns home to visit with her family and runs into Tyler. Tyler stayed in town and become a local paramedic.
Both Amber and Tyler are experiencing things in their own individual lives. Both are troubled in different ways. Even though Amber is engaged to med student Daniel, Tyler is excited to have his old friend back in town. Deep down he always hopes he has a shot. Amber starts second guessing her decision to get married.
They go out and have too much to drink, which leads to a sexual encounter. Things get out of control and Amber says, “no.” Tyler does not stop. This devastating experience changes the dynamics of this couple and everyone close to them, including their family, forever.
Hatvany explores both sides of the story, combined with her own raw emotion and personal tragedy. A sense of powerlessness and self-destruction behavior.
Amber doubts herself. How could this have happened? Her best friend. How could not remember the events and how they unfolded? What happened to consent? She soon becomes obsessed with taking the matter into her own hands. She will force him into admitting what he had done. Was he more like his dad than he wanted to admit?
The characters grapple with themselves as well as one another. Exploring healthy and unhealthy ways people respond to and recover from trauma, including revenge, therapy, obsession, denial, eating disorders, drug abuse, sex, support groups, social withdrawal, exercise, legal action, and violence.
A compelling look at a topic of rape; which is brushed under the radar more often than we may expect. Especially when the victim knows the other party.
Furthermore, when the parents are friends and the person is someone you have trusted your entire life, and now has betrayed you. Shattered lives. Someone will have to pay for the injustice.
Often the law fails the victim. More than one will have to possess the courage to step up and admit their mistakes and be prepared for the consequences. When events are not always black and white. Moral lines are crossed.
Powerful storytelling. Emotionally gripping. Struggling with the aftermath of rape, and domestic violence.
For fans of Diane Chamberlain, Heather Gudenkauf, Jodi Picoult, Liane Moriarty, Jennifer Weiner, and Sarah Pekkanen. An ideal choice for book clubs and further discussions. Another winner by Hatvany!
On a side note: When posting a review, I often link to the previous book, read by the author. However, when I scrolled back to reference all the books I have read by Hatvany, I noticed each book was a "5-star rating!" How often does an author deliver consistent quality, high-charged absorbing and timely issues?
It is rare. Why I wanted to include all the book reviews here by the author, for those of you which may be new to Amy Hatvany. An author you will soon move to the "top" of your favorite author list. Each book one is uniquely different with a critical takeaway message.
2011 Best Kept Secret
2012 The Language of Secrets
2012 Outside the Lines
2013 Heart Like Mine
2014 Safe With Me
2016 Somewhere Out There
A special thank you to Atria and NetGalley for an early reading copy. Stunning cover. Would make a great movie.
JDCMustReadBooks
View the author's powerful video. Author, wife, mother, friend, rape survivor.
A girl. A guy. Childhood friends. Consent. Rape. Their families. A tragedy which changes everything. A desperate need for justice and revenge.
There is one thing (well, more than one) you can come to expect from Amy Hatvany: She is not afraid to tackle tough issues of the heart, with honesty and superbly researched topics —critical for today’s contemporary woman, no matter the age.
Amber Bryant and Tyler Hicks have grown up together. Best friends from an early age through teen years. Their parents were friends. Ty comes from and abusive father. The Bryants took Ty and his mom under their wing and have always included them in family activities.
Amber has had food and self-esteem issues throughout her life. Tyler battles his self-esteem issues with his father. Amber always thinking she is fat, to the point she almost lost her life. It is a topic her parents to this day are sensitive about when they note her eating habits.
Tyler has always been her very best friend. He has always been in love with her. The feeling has not been mutual. From Amber’s side, it is more friendship, not love. Now Amber has graduated from college and is engaged to be married. She returns home to visit with her family and runs into Tyler. Tyler stayed in town and become a local paramedic.
Both Amber and Tyler are experiencing things in their own individual lives. Both are troubled in different ways. Even though Amber is engaged to med student Daniel, Tyler is excited to have his old friend back in town. Deep down he always hopes he has a shot. Amber starts second guessing her decision to get married.
They go out and have too much to drink, which leads to a sexual encounter. Things get out of control and Amber says, “no.” Tyler does not stop. This devastating experience changes the dynamics of this couple and everyone close to them, including their family, forever.
Hatvany explores both sides of the story, combined with her own raw emotion and personal tragedy. A sense of powerlessness and self-destruction behavior.
Amber doubts herself. How could this have happened? Her best friend. How could not remember the events and how they unfolded? What happened to consent? She soon becomes obsessed with taking the matter into her own hands. She will force him into admitting what he had done. Was he more like his dad than he wanted to admit?
The characters grapple with themselves as well as one another. Exploring healthy and unhealthy ways people respond to and recover from trauma, including revenge, therapy, obsession, denial, eating disorders, drug abuse, sex, support groups, social withdrawal, exercise, legal action, and violence.
A compelling look at a topic of rape; which is brushed under the radar more often than we may expect. Especially when the victim knows the other party.
Furthermore, when the parents are friends and the person is someone you have trusted your entire life, and now has betrayed you. Shattered lives. Someone will have to pay for the injustice.
Often the law fails the victim. More than one will have to possess the courage to step up and admit their mistakes and be prepared for the consequences. When events are not always black and white. Moral lines are crossed.
Powerful storytelling. Emotionally gripping. Struggling with the aftermath of rape, and domestic violence.
For fans of Diane Chamberlain, Heather Gudenkauf, Jodi Picoult, Liane Moriarty, Jennifer Weiner, and Sarah Pekkanen. An ideal choice for book clubs and further discussions. Another winner by Hatvany!
On a side note: When posting a review, I often link to the previous book, read by the author. However, when I scrolled back to reference all the books I have read by Hatvany, I noticed each book was a "5-star rating!" How often does an author deliver consistent quality, high-charged absorbing and timely issues?
It is rare. Why I wanted to include all the book reviews here by the author, for those of you which may be new to Amy Hatvany. An author you will soon move to the "top" of your favorite author list. Each book one is uniquely different with a critical takeaway message.
2011 Best Kept Secret
2012 The Language of Secrets
2012 Outside the Lines
2013 Heart Like Mine
2014 Safe With Me
2016 Somewhere Out There
A special thank you to Atria and NetGalley for an early reading copy. Stunning cover. Would make a great movie.
JDCMustReadBooks
bookswritingandmore's review against another edition
5.0
Amber and Tyler met when they were 10 and became best friends. Amber always felt a platonic friendship with Ty but he was in love with her. She became engaged while in college but when she was home after graduation, she spent considerable time with Ty and when she kissed him at a party after an evening of heavy drinking by both, things spiraled out of control. This is the story of the emotion and pain caused by that one night. It's told in alternating chapters from each character's point of view so the reader is aware of how it is affecting both of them.
The story just blew me away. The author deals with date rape in such a different way than any other author has to this point. This is NOT a lighthearted funny book and it definitely has SERIOUS subject matter. However, it should be required reading for any woman! The way the story plays out with the first chapter giving a reader a glimpse into the end of the book and then swiftly changing gears to the beginning in chapter two, leaves the reader wanting more.
Both Amber and Tyler are very strong protagonists. Amber is a loner for the most part, only trusting a few people in her life. Tyler is gentle and kind hearted and would do anything for Amber. Each character tells their story in this alternating chapter view point. It is up to the reader to decide who they sympathize with more.
This is the first book I've read by this author but it will NOT be the last. Very impressed by the story told and the writing style and character development. I'd give it more than five stars if I could.
The story just blew me away. The author deals with date rape in such a different way than any other author has to this point. This is NOT a lighthearted funny book and it definitely has SERIOUS subject matter. However, it should be required reading for any woman! The way the story plays out with the first chapter giving a reader a glimpse into the end of the book and then swiftly changing gears to the beginning in chapter two, leaves the reader wanting more.
Both Amber and Tyler are very strong protagonists. Amber is a loner for the most part, only trusting a few people in her life. Tyler is gentle and kind hearted and would do anything for Amber. Each character tells their story in this alternating chapter view point. It is up to the reader to decide who they sympathize with more.
This is the first book I've read by this author but it will NOT be the last. Very impressed by the story told and the writing style and character development. I'd give it more than five stars if I could.
kdurham2's review against another edition
5.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
Unfortunately for me, the big thing in this book was spoiled for me, but even with the spoiler, I can say that I absolutely adored this book.
Amber and Tyler are childhood friends and they have been each other's person through the ups and downs through middle school and high school, but when Amber comes home with a significant other, Tyler's world is shaken to its core and he doesn't know what to do without his best friend being just his.
Before reading this book, I was already a HUGE Amy Hatvany fan and have read most of her backlist. The way she writes is indescribable, but just makes the reader want to dive in and not give up on these characters.
Unfortunately for me, the big thing in this book was spoiled for me, but even with the spoiler, I can say that I absolutely adored this book.
Amber and Tyler are childhood friends and they have been each other's person through the ups and downs through middle school and high school, but when Amber comes home with a significant other, Tyler's world is shaken to its core and he doesn't know what to do without his best friend being just his.
Before reading this book, I was already a HUGE Amy Hatvany fan and have read most of her backlist. The way she writes is indescribable, but just makes the reader want to dive in and not give up on these characters.
ashleybhaley's review against another edition
4.0
"Normal, everyday people are capable of doing horrendous things." - Amy Hatvany, It Happens All The Time
Tyler and Amber are best friends... but what happens when they get drunk one night and things go too far? WARNING: this book is about rape
This novel is difficult, but Hatvany tells it with such amazing prose. She found a way to share the story from both the victim and the offender in a way that makes us think horrible questions... was she "asking for it"? He was drunk, did he really mean to? Did she say no too late? Is it really possible for two people to have such different views of the same incident? Hatvany made these characters loveable and human.. you wanted to hope for them, cry for redemption, but also demand justice. These events happen to women (and men) every single day, and the justice system doesn't help our victims, it destroys them even more.
This novel is heavy and it could easily be titled memoir, the storyline is very real, and it definitely gave me anxiety. She thoroughly explored some important issues surrounding rape, including... CONSENT, self-blame, mental health, shaming, and denial which all contributed to the powerful impact of this novel. Thought-provoking and tragic, this would make an excellent bookclub choice.
Tyler and Amber are best friends... but what happens when they get drunk one night and things go too far? WARNING: this book is about rape
This novel is difficult, but Hatvany tells it with such amazing prose. She found a way to share the story from both the victim and the offender in a way that makes us think horrible questions... was she "asking for it"? He was drunk, did he really mean to? Did she say no too late? Is it really possible for two people to have such different views of the same incident? Hatvany made these characters loveable and human.. you wanted to hope for them, cry for redemption, but also demand justice. These events happen to women (and men) every single day, and the justice system doesn't help our victims, it destroys them even more.
This novel is heavy and it could easily be titled memoir, the storyline is very real, and it definitely gave me anxiety. She thoroughly explored some important issues surrounding rape, including... CONSENT, self-blame, mental health, shaming, and denial which all contributed to the powerful impact of this novel. Thought-provoking and tragic, this would make an excellent bookclub choice.
walmartyr's review against another edition
4.0
TRIGGER WARNING
This book was actually really really good! I liked having multiple perspectives and the ending didn't cause me to roll my eyes. Great and insightful, but there are parts that are definitely triggering so be wary of that when reading it or recommending it to others.
This book was actually really really good! I liked having multiple perspectives and the ending didn't cause me to roll my eyes. Great and insightful, but there are parts that are definitely triggering so be wary of that when reading it or recommending it to others.
strandedinbooks's review against another edition
5.0
**4.5 STARS
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing an ARC for an honest review.
We see so much on the news and especially on social media, cases of women who are sexual assaulted and raped. We begin to form our own ideas and meaning of the word. We ask ourselves, what really happened? But one thing we have all learned is that no matter what happened prior, if the word NO is said before sex is about to occur, and the other person goes ahead anyway, it is rape.
'It Happens All the Time' follows Amber and Tyler, who are best friends, on one life-changing night, and Amy Hatvany is able to show that this does, in fact, happen all the time.
I was gutted reading the entirety of this novel because we go through the many emotions that Amber experiences before and after that night with Tyler.
We see how just a matter of minutes could so easily break someone and it pains me to know the reality of this.
I enjoyed that this story was told in both point of views. It was not meant for us to sympathize with Tyler and try to see his reasons, or his father's, for what he did and what he felt was true.
My heart broke to know that this logic is one that people follow, that because "she was obviously into it, she must have wanted it".
I appreciate the story Amy Hatvany had the courage to write. This is such a timely story and it also paints the picture of the screwed up justice system we have regarding women in rape trials. Instead of being so quick to blame the victim, of labeling them because of their past or condition during the time of the incident, why not question the offender? Why not understand that when the word "no" is said, it means just that, NO.
This story is meant to be read, no matter who you are, and hope that it'll help you, teach you, or make you more aware.
My thanks to Amy.
Trigger warning: Anorexia, Rape
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing an ARC for an honest review.
We see so much on the news and especially on social media, cases of women who are sexual assaulted and raped. We begin to form our own ideas and meaning of the word. We ask ourselves, what really happened? But one thing we have all learned is that no matter what happened prior, if the word NO is said before sex is about to occur, and the other person goes ahead anyway, it is rape.
'It Happens All the Time' follows Amber and Tyler, who are best friends, on one life-changing night, and Amy Hatvany is able to show that this does, in fact, happen all the time.
I was gutted reading the entirety of this novel because we go through the many emotions that Amber experiences before and after that night with Tyler.
We see how just a matter of minutes could so easily break someone and it pains me to know the reality of this.
I enjoyed that this story was told in both point of views. It was not meant for us to sympathize with Tyler and try to see his reasons, or his father's, for what he did and what he felt was true.
My heart broke to know that this logic is one that people follow, that because "she was obviously into it, she must have wanted it".
I appreciate the story Amy Hatvany had the courage to write. This is such a timely story and it also paints the picture of the screwed up justice system we have regarding women in rape trials. Instead of being so quick to blame the victim, of labeling them because of their past or condition during the time of the incident, why not question the offender? Why not understand that when the word "no" is said, it means just that, NO.
This story is meant to be read, no matter who you are, and hope that it'll help you, teach you, or make you more aware.
My thanks to Amy.
Trigger warning: Anorexia, Rape